"My Shibuya Moment" by Jax Cassidy

Please welcome guest blogger Jax Cassidy to the Fictionistas blog today! She has just released an e-book that raises money for the victims in Japan.

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In my imagination, Japan is like a magical paradise on clouds. I don’t know why I’ve always viewed it as such. Maybe it’s because I grew up watching Japanese anime and cinematically breathtaking love stories that left me yearning to visit someday.

Frankly, I blame my obsession on the cherry blossoms. Whenever I see a photograph of those pink and white petals, it conjures up the idea of romance and love. That’s probably why I’ve always wanted to write a love story set in Tokyo. The combination of cherry blossoms and the vibrant city leaves me tingly all over. Humm, maybe it’s the body lotion.

But when it comes right down to it, there are so many things to love about Japan.

1. Sushi
2. Fashion
3. Hello Kitty
4. Kimonos
5. Techno gadgets
6. Godzilla
7. Outrageous game shows

Well, you get the point.

I’m sure as I listed off some of those items there’s an immediate visual image that comes to mind. See, that tells me just how powerful an impact Japan has made on you—that’s the same reason why it was so important for me to do something to help out in any small way.

After seeing the destruction and devastation in the media, I was seriously jarred. I had always viewed Japan as a strong force and with all the advancements in technology; I hadn’t expected Japan ever being in such a vulnerable state. I won’t lie, I cried for all the lives that were lost and I was certain the road to recovery would take years and years. I didn’t hesitate donating to the Red Cross and it still didn’t seem to be enough, so I decided the most meaningful thing I could do was write my love story to Japan.

One of the reasons I chose Shibuya was because it’s such a unique place. It’s 1 of 23 wards of Tokyo with a population of a little over 208,000. You’ve got everything at your fingertips, from the trendy fashion district that’s in walking distance of the park and temple, excellent cuisine, to a killer nightlife scene. It reminded me of New York City in a sense, and based on all the research, I knew I’d picked the perfect place to write about.

This story is special to me and every line that’s written held a lot of meaning and thought. As I was writing it, I had my own Shibuya Moment. Meaning: that no matter how much suffering the citizens of Japan faced, they drew from their inner strength and continued to move forward courageously. Just like writers. We may face adversity but we rise to the challenge and we fight for what we love. With that catch phrase I’d coined in my head, I wanted to paint a vivid picture for my readers about a heroine who’s faced loss and emerged whole again. This may sound kind of silly, but in writing this short story, I was able to help rebuild the damaged parts of Japan in my head. I truly believe that someday when I finally get a chance to visit—this country will once again be the magical paradise I’ve always dreamed about.


P.S. I’m doing an awesome giveaway to help raise money for charity. The prize is valued at over $500 and includes a Kindle 3G & Amazon Gift Card. All you have to do is visit my website and blog (http://jaxcassidy.com/shibuya-giveaway/) for more details.

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SHIBUYA MOMENT...

Freelance photographer Seren Takahashi wants to heal her wounded soul after a devastating loss. While embarking on a personal adventure into Tokyo’s Shibuya district, she discovers a city rich in culture and vibrant in its exoticness. What she hadn’t expected was finding closure and rediscovering the true person hidden inside. When she gives into destiny’s pull, her journey awakens a need to live in the moment, embrace her fears, and open her heart to love.

Author’s note: All author proceeds from the sale of this story will be donated to the Red Cross and ShelterBox for the relief effort in Japan.

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Jax Cassidy followed her dreams to Paris, then Hollywood to pursue a film career but managed to fall in love with penning sexy romances and happy endings—finding Mr. Right was just an added bonus. She writes contemporary, paranormal, and multi-ethnic romances and is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, and award winning writer’s website and discussion forum. Jax is also known as one-half of the retired writing team of Cassidy Kent.

To learn more about Jax, visit her online at www.jaxcassidy.com.

Social Networks:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaxcassidy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jaxcassidy

Help support the relief effort in Japan!

Jeannie Lin, author of "Butterfly Swords," just released a short story set in Japan. Not only is she enormously talented, but she's also incredibly generous, and she's donating her author proceeds from sales of the story to the Red Cross to aid in the relief effort after the recent earthquakes and tsunami.

Here's the blurb:

"A chance encounter brings a hint of romance to a young woman’s journey through the streets of Tokyo. This semi-autobiographical short story explores questions of identity and connectedness in the digital age."

Jeannie was able to release this short story in a timely manner with a little help from her friends. Author Jax Cassidy, founder of the award-winning Romance Divas forum and owner of Jaxadora Designs, did the absoulutely stunning cover art. And our very own Rhonda Stapleton edited.

You can get your own copy for just 99 cents on Kindle or Smashwords. Please consider supporting this worthy cause.

http://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Paper-short-story-ebook/dp/B004SY5SY2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1300804448&sr=8-9

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/48332

McWTF

19 year old Lauren McClusky started a charity to raise money for the Chicago chapter of the Special Olympics, and so far has raised $30,000.

Too bad she's had to spend $5,000 of that money on legal fees because she's being sued by McDonald's for trademark infringement because she's calling the event McFest.

Um, her last name is McClusky....remember?

Why is McDonald's being such a bully here? They say they are required by law to "guard against third parties that infringe our trademarks." but c'mon! isn't this overkill?

Dear McDonald's,

My maiden name was McKenzie, would you like to sue me as well? I think you guys McSuck and I think you should McSTFU and leave Lauren McClusky and her pretty awesome charity event McAlone. McGot it?

McLove,
Melissa McKenzie Francis

Have you bid on your full critique from Rhonda yet?

Because she'd never toot her own horn, I figured I would. Our very own Fictionista, Rhonda Stapleton, has generously offered to critique a FULL Young Adult manuscript of one lucky bidder!

Debut author Cynthea Liu has organized a charity auction to raise money for Tulakes Elementary School, a Title I school in Oklahoma City. Children residing in the surrounding community live in an environment of high povery, gang violence, and crime. Many of the children wear the same clothes to school several days in a row and some don't know where their next meal is coming from. :(

Cynthea's fundraiser will help jumpstart the 3rd grade level-reading program in the classroom. It costs approximately $700 for one leveled non-fiction lassroom set. A sturdy book box that can be used year in and year out costs $3.25 per student. The teachers' goal is to have libraries in every classroom.

You can help make a difference in these children's lives by bidding for an exciting array of prizes, including critiques from authors, editors, agents, and autographed prize packs of books.

The auction closes on July 8, 11:59 PM EST. Winners may pay by Paypal, major credit card, or money order/cashier's check.

Let the bidding begin!

http://www.cynthealiu.com/auction/

Have you ever?

Have you ever donated your time or talents for charity?

In high school, I participated in Jump Rope for Heart, which meant we jumped rope for 24 hours (tag team style) to raise money for the American Heart Association.

A few years ago, I was part of a Breast Cancer 3-Day team. We walked 20 miles a day for 3 days, raising a minimum of $2400 each. (That experience can best be described as hellacious.)

I've also baked cakes for charity cake auctions, donated writing critiques and some of my handmade jewelry. It's a good feeling to give back and I should do it more. Not sure what my next "event" will be thought.

How about you? What charity things have you participated in?

Fiction for a Cause

So, has everyone gotten their copy of OH GODDESS yet?



If not, you really should. Not only is it hi-lar-ious, but fellow Fictionista Gwen Hayes is generously donating all author and editor proceeds from the sale of this short short to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. You can find out more about the foundation at www.coalitionforpf.org. And you can buy your copy here:
http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/shop/product.da/oh-goddess

At just $2.25, it's a steal. Sid I mention that it's hysterical? She's one clever girl, that Gwen.

Because it's such a short read, you'll have plenty of time to finish it before DREAMS & DESIRES 3 is released on Sunday.



This is the third volume that Freya's Bower has released, and I've had a short story in each of them. All proceeds of this volume will go to St. Bernard's Battered Women's Shelter in New Orleans, which was just rebuilt this past year from Katrina. (The proceeds from the first edition go to a shelter in Florida, and from the second edition to a shelter in Los Angeles.)

You can by the ebook for $5.95 directly from Freya's Bower (http://www.freyasbower.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=170) or the print version for $12.99 from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Desires-Collection-Romance-Erotic/dp/1935013637/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233250253&sr=8-1).

DREAMS & DESIRES 3 features stories from (in alphabetical order of last name): Shobhan Bantwal, Marci Baun, Jenna Bayley-Burke, Mychael Black, Amanda Brice, M.E. Eillis, Gemma Halliday, Candace Havens, Babe King, Bonnie Kinsey, Adelle Laudan, Susan Lyons, Debbie Mumford, Kari Lee Townsend, Lois Winston, and Barbara Witek, with a foreword by Carol Anne Davis.

Please note: Teens, some of the stories in this book are erotic, so if you're under 18, please do not purchase this book. However, if your moms want to purchase it and allow you to read the non-erotic stories, there are plenty of sweeter romance in it, as well, including my contribution, "She's Got Legs."

So go forth and by some great books and feel good about contributing to worth causes while you're at it! Let's see how much money we can raise!

Tents of Hope...and a winner!

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Jennifer was in DC to visit me and her cousin (who is doing her residency at DC Children's Hospital). Since I don't work on Fridays (it's normally my writing day), I played tourist with Jennifer.

We spent the morning and early afternoon at the Holocaust Museum, which is an amazingly powerful experience, although it's incredibly depressing. Trust me, every time I go, I swear I'm never going back. But Jennifer had never been, and it's a place everyone should go to at least once, so I went. But once I started crying, I realized I couldn't take it anymore, so we left and went out to lunch instead.

After lunch at the National Museum of the American Indian's cafeteria, we decided to walk along the Mall.

There were tons of people on the Mall, setting up what looked like tents. So we decided to investigate. As we got closer, we discovered that the majority of the tent-setter-uppers were teenagers, and that the tents were hand-painted. So we inquired as to what was going on.





Turns out they were setting up for the final event of the year-long Tents of Hope project. Tents of Hope is a "national community-based project that envisions a powerful union of artistic creativity and social concern in response to the crisis in Darfur." Kinda appropriate after we'd spent the morning at the Holocaust Museum.

Tents of Hope wants to draw attention to the millions of uprooted people in Sudan, many of whom are living in tents after being violently forced from their homes. The goal is to raise both awareness about Darfur as well as funds for humanitarian relief.

It was so heart-warming to see so many young people involved in a project like that. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I challenge our readers to give back -- to your community, to others in need, to people halfway around the world -- this holiday. Spread love, hope, peace, and humanity.

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Now for the winner of yesterday's haiku contest. Rhonda read through all the posts here and on Myspace, and because they were all excellent, she had a very difficult decision. So congrats to Sela Carsen for making her giggle the most!

To recap, here is Sela's haiku:

Do these shoes go with?
Maybe a different skirt.
Oh. My. Gawd. My hair!

Congrats Sela!!!!!! Please email Rhonda at rhonda [at] rhondastapleton [dot] com to collect your gift card! Happy Amazon shopping!